Causes of Depression: An Overview
Despite intensive research,
depression scientists still do not know the cause or causes of depression. They do believe that that the onset of depression is frequently caused by a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. In other words, there is no one cause of depression.
Depression research scientists also know that imbalances in brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters seem to be linked to depression. These brain chemicals include serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. What is not known is whether these chemical imbalances are a result or a cause of depression.
Are Risk Factors the Same as Causes of Depression?
While scientists are still searching for depression causes, they do know a number of factors that increase a person's chances of developing depression. These are known as depression risk factors. Risk factors are not the same as causes of depression. While they do increase the chances of developing depression, they do not guarantee that a person will develop depression.
Some risk factors for depression include:
- A family history of depression
- Certain medications
- A history of substance abuse
- Certain medical illnesses
- Hormonal factors
- Stress.
(Click Risk Factors For Depression to learn more detail about each of these risk factors.)
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